An intermediary that is typically an individual or firm that aids with the exchange between investors and securities (e.g. start-up equity).

Options are the right (not obligation) to purchase a number of shares at a pre-agreed price. Options are an increasingly popular part of employee compensation plans at start-ups.

A capitalisation table is an overview of a company's share ownership by all share-holders.

The net return as a result of holding an asset. This could be negative or positive depending on the asset and the current market that the asset exists in.

A short term loan designed to be used by firms or an individual during the period prior to securing long term or sustainable payment.

A group of individuals or organisations who collaborate together in order to achieve a shared goal. In an investment sense, this would be fulfillment of a round (supplying the all of, or part of, the funds a company is seeking to raise). Unlike a partnership and joint venture, syndicates are less formal and often do not have company legal structures.

A form of funding from an individual or firm into a fast-growing emerging business with a goal of return on investment. These investments are usually high-risk, high-reward.

A space where startups can operate during their initial conception and tend to focus on innovation with no set goal or direction. Typically this is in return for equity stake in said startup. Incubators are commonly confused with accelerators.

Programs and mentorships designed to provide resources, training, and networking to aid the fast-growth startups. Don’t forget, there is a difference between incubators and accelerators.

Preference shares within a growth start-up context, usually refer to which investors can try and recover their investment first. For example, if ABC Ltd. goes bankrupt and has assets to the value of £100, then investor XYZ Ventures, which invested £10 in preferred stock earlier on in the venture, would have the right to the first £10 of ABC Ltd's assets.

A company that achieves a valuation of $1 billion or more. Often confused with a Decacorn

A document that is designed to highlight the main terms of an agreement and any conditions attached to it. Within the context of start-ups and funding, this is the set of terms by which investors agree to put money into the business.